Morning

Hype and danger, bullshit and intrigue, salesmen and damage, opinions and previews, weight-cuts and rehydration clauses, accreditation issues and investigative journalism. A few thoughts on the endless chaos surrounding the contrived Eubank Jr-Benn scrap www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...

On this day in 1984: Anderlecht beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 (3-2 on agg) in the UEFA Cup semi-final second leg. Dodgy refereeing decisions went against Brian Clough’s men, including this penalty award. In 1997, it was revealed that the ref had received £18,000 to fix the match.

"Erm Dave....we're not getting off at Edinburgh." "You've booked us to play bloody Aberdeen haven't you!"

For St Georges Day, Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow was originally called #StGeorge’s Place. When renamed it was home to the South African Consulate, so all mail had to be addressed “Nelson Mandela Place.” The Consulate tried to use a PO Box # but the Glasgow Postal Union refused to deliver to that.

The club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player David Clunie. David made 354 appearances in maroon between 1964 and 1977. Our thoughts are with David's family and friends at this sad time ❤️ Read a full tribute to David, by club historian David Speed ➡️ tinyurl.com/4tzzeknk

I assume that the Anas Sarwar who yesterday ruled out any form of wealth tax is no relation to the Anas Sarwar who, when seeking the Scottish Labour Party leadership in 2017, proposed a 50p rate of tax for those earning over £100,000. t.co/cF80bM3TYk

The news in stereo

The thin-skinned SFA will probably fine us and do nothing to address the poor standard of refereeing in Scotland. However, good to see the club call it out.

"Aw naw...ahve nae money for the bus hame!"

Just one more win....

Despite winning, Aberdeen looked very ponderous against 10-man Hearts. Play like that against Celtic in the final and a repeat of the hammering they received from them in the League Cup semi is a real prospect.

Barring a dramatic comeback from Ipswich, no league title will be clinched today.

Referee John Beaton just before today's semi-final

I'm not going to criticise Cammy Devlin for that. He was immense for us today. Kent, McCart and Beningime deserve a mention as well. As for the result, well I think that's made the board's decision on whether or not to renew Critchley's deal a bit easier. #hmfc

Fair play to Critchley - he's set the team up well after that red card. Aberdeen haven't had a sniff. Extra-time to come...

The John Beaton Book of Refereeing

35-yards out from goal, two Hearts defenders tracking back yet the clown that's refereeing this semi says that's an automatic red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. It's a yellow card - nothing more.

YESSSSSSS!!!!!! Shankland hammers in the equaliser. #hmfc

And there you have the story of our season. Start well, then get sucker-punched! #hmfc

My dad’s first job as a doorman was at the Blue Angel, so I met Allan Williams when I was young and he presented me with a copy of his first book. Discussions about another book about his days as Beatles manager took an unexpected turn tonyevans92a.substack.com/p/an-afterno...

Liverpool Echo front page from 2013. Strange that despite 97 people being unlawfully killed, the State still can't find out who did it. But when you look at other tragedies - Aberfan, Bloody Sunday, Jallianwala Bagh, Ballymurphy, Grenfell, etc - the State's covering up should not be a surprise

Given the final result (a thumping 6-0, 6-3 defeat), maybe Harriet, your opponent was sweating because she was putting in more effort than you. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis...

Been watching "This City Is Ours" on BBC iPlayer over this past week. First seven episodes were very good and all building up to an exciting climax. Only we got an anti-climax in the final episode. Talk about a 'bottled ending'. Not to mention a sub-plot being completely ignored as well.

A letter from Kenny Dalglish to Alex Ferguson after the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989.

The Hillsborough disaster told through the eyes of Des Lynam, who was in the stadium that afternoon for the BBC. This was broadcast in 2009 for the 20th anniversary. Both powerful and heartbreaking. A day that nobody will ever forget. ❤️ #JFT97

Justice for the 97 youtu.be/ieVUJZJbeiM?...

36 years on, I’m drained of energy and have nothing new to say that I haven’t written before. But the fight goes on. Not for us, but for you. This is from the 20th anniversary. All I can do is tell you what it was like and hope it never happens to you tonyevans92a.substack.com/p/returning-...

Apparently today is International Goalkeeper's Day. So here are four who served Hearts well.

Shamelessly pinched from the other place

Hibs - 10 major domestic trophies Hearts - 16 major domestic trophies Aberdeen - 17 major domestic trophies and 2 major European trophies A two-minute search on Google would have spared the author of this article's blushes. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

As two anniversaries collide, it’s important to pay homage to @IanProwse whose classic song put Hillsborough in context as one of the key events in Merseyside history and pointed the finger at the guilty parties at a time it when support was rare tonyevans92a.substack.com/p/song-of-su...

Someone at Manchester United needs to give their captain a history lesson on the club - and quick.

Good article by @draper-rob.bsky.social in today's @observeruk.bsky.social on the work being done by @nosauditoon.bsky.social campaigning against #Saudisportwashing www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Examples of how posh Glasgow's west end is pt. 34543

Funny how you Labour MPs never post a selfie followed by "Off to Parliament to vote to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from pensioners, maintain the two-child benefit cap, then vote to remove cash from the sick, poor and disabled." bsky.app/profile/mela...

He's not wrong

Nationalises Scunthorpe plant but sneered at the same prospect for Grangemouth and Port Talbot. Guess the latter two happened to be on the 'wrong side of the border' eh? 🤦‍♂️

Epic Trolling by The Chinese Embassy. 🔥

Missed that debate on Grangemouth as well - along with Port Talbot too.

"We don't care". Remember that episode in Grange Hill when someone finally stood up to Gripper? www.channel4.com/news/if-the-...

I remember being so excited for the first World Cup that I can remember - 1982. Helped by the fact that it was a great tournament. However, from 1998 onwards, I've found the excitement level decreasing gradually. I think this would kill off any love I have left for it. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

Dodgy Barnet Central #FCSteaua #București & #Romania 🇷🇴 defender, Aurel Panait. If there is a worse barnet in the history of world football, I respectfully challenge you to post a pick below. Go for it!

When you realise you've signed for Everton